New frame shop opens in East Bend

Mark Matthews shows off the many colorful prints and art available in his new shop Curious Wildflower in East Bend.

Kitsey Burns Harrison | Yadkin Ripple

A new frame shop, Curious Wildflower, is now open in East Bend

Kitsey Burns Harrison | Yadkin Ripple

Opening up in East Bend just in time for the holiday shopping season is a new store featuring custom framing, prints and more. Curious Wildflower is located at 425 W. Hwy. 67 next to the former East Bend Dinette. The shop is owned and operated by Mark Matthews, along with his wife Julie and daughter Erin.

Curious Wildflower offers pre-framed prints, many by local artists, as well as unframed artwork. Customers also may bring in artwork or other items for custom framework.

“We can frame, we can do shadow boxes, we can frame pictures, prints, your granddaughter’s little dress or grandson’s shoes anything like that,” Matthews said. “We offer a full service in framing.”

One corner of the shop is lined with numerous frame and mat color options.

Matthews said the business opportunity came about almost by accident. Just as he was nearing retirement, local framer Sonny Southard was planning to sell his business. Matthews bought out the business and opened Curious Wildflower.

“[My wife] Julie and one of my daughters has always enjoyed crafting and my mother loved artwork and I thought this was something she would have enjoyed seeing, so with all that in mind we got it started,” he said.

The shop also features some craft items, pottery and a few antiques.

“We have a lot of gift ideas for Christmas,” Matthews said.

The unique name for the shop came about from ideas from both his wife and daughter.

Matthews said the shop’s inventory includes many hard-to-find prints and many prints from local artists such as Tim Bruce, Steve Brown, Patricia Hobson and more.

The shop’s hours are Wednesday through Friday from 1 to 8 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday 1 to 6 p.m.

For more information, find Curious Wildflower on Facebook or call 336-403-2171.

Kitsey Burns Harrison may be reached at 336-679-2341 or on Twitter @RippleReporterK.

Mark Matthews shows off the many colorful prints and art available in his new shop Curious Wildflower in East Bend.

http://www.yadkinripple.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/web1_curiouswildflower_2.jpgMark Matthews shows off the many colorful prints and art available in his new shop Curious Wildflower in East Bend. Kitsey Burns Harrison | Yadkin Ripple

A new frame shop, Curious Wildflower, is now open in East Bend

http://www.yadkinripple.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/web1_curiouswildflower_3.jpgA new frame shop, Curious Wildflower, is now open in East Bend Kitsey Burns Harrison | Yadkin Ripple